bpcyclist

So, I was in my bike shop looking for deals yesterday. They are closing permanently next week because they make so much more money doing online sales that the actual store was of no consequence to them. Bummer for me.

My brakes on the BMC I bought from them were kind of loose and I asked if one of the mechanics could quickly snug them up while I browsed. He obliged. When I got home, I realized the left rear pad was totally rubbing on the rim. I went to adjust it, which I know how to basically do, and found that the 2 mm hex bolt was stripped. The allen key does not work in it, like, at all, it just twirls around and around. Very frustrating. on a few levels.

So, looking for input on dealing with this bolt. For those of you who haven't seen the BR5810 direct mount brakes, there is no access to the actual center bolt. You have to use this little 2 mm hex adjustment bolt on the right side and then adjust the position of the arm(s) accordingly to stop the brake rub.

Love some input from you folks. Many thanks!! Not really looking to have to replace this brake yet.

dedhed

cut a slot in it with a dremel and use a regular screwdriver

dsbrantjr

If that doesn't work try forcing a 2.5mm, or oversize fractional or Torx key into the stripped-out drive recess. You could also epoxy a sacrificial hex key in, remove the screw and replace it. There are also available left-hand drills https://www.harborfreight.com/left-h...-pc-61686.html you could use to drill out and replace it, or re-tap to a larger size if there is room.

rmwesley

^^^ +1 for very gently tapping in the next size up Torx. I’ve done it on some bolts which seem to have been made of cheese and it always worked for me.

tomtomtom123

If it's the protruding brake spring tension screw that has very low torque and is easily turned, then a simple pair of pliers would work.

Otherwise you could use pliers that are designed for removing stripped screws like the pz57
https://engineertool.wixsite.com/engi...l/screwremoval

If it's a recessed bolt then you could use the dbz extractor.

But as other people have said, a sacrificial torx or other key is the cheapest method.

100bikes

One simple trick is to put a deflated balloon over the end of the allen key and insert it into the hole.
Sounds a bit silly, but it can work.

tomtomtom123

In that case, a used rubber glove world work.

100bikes

Anything thin and rubber so a rubber glove is a great idea.

Never thought about it before, but a couple of layers of plastic wrap may work as well.

dsbrantjr

Vibra-Tite Drive-Grip https://www.vibra-tite.com/specialty...ite-drivegrip/ or Liqui-Moly Screw Grip https://products.liqui-moly.com/screw-grip.html (likely the same thing) may also work.

HillRider

Perhaps a silly question but does the bolt really take a 2 mm Allen? Maybe it's a 2.5 mm? If the 2 mm just spins it's either really striped or the wrong size.